Colts trun on the style against Currie

Friday Night Fireworks at Hartree Mill (thanks to Simon Low for this report)

Friday night saw a fund raising dinner held for MND at Hartree Mill with a 3 game extravaganza under the lights. Entering the arena first accompanied by coach John Archibald’s pyrotechnic wizardry were the Colts playing their Shogun Conference fixture against Currie. Any hopes of a fizzing derby game were extinguished early with Currie arriving with only 12 boys. Biggar handed over 3 “volunteers” and a 15 a side development game kicked off. With the points already in the bag for Biggar you could have forgiven them for taking it easy but they didn’t.

Four Shogun Conference débutantes took their bows for the Colts team today 2 new faces and 2 not so new. Starting were Cameron Snell making the step up from under 16’s and the returning Rowan Stewart – making a welcome comeback after injury. On the subs bench Lee Smith who unfortunately can’t make Saturday games and Guy Kelly – still able to play Colts rugby this year but fresh from playing for the Firsts against Kirkcaldy last week. Indeed there was an instant impact into the game from one of these new starters.

Biggar had the kick off and kicking into a deceptively strong wind, the ball did not travel 10. From the scrum restart Biggar scored the first of their 6 tries of the day. Finlay Barr who was excellent for the whole game disrupted the Currie 9 and managed to get his hands on the ball. He popped the ball to Robbie who found Rowan running onto the ball at pace. From just inside the Currie half Rowan pinned his ears back and was off. What a start for Biggar and for Rowan. 1 minute of rugby for the season and 1 try with more to come! With the aforementioned blustery win making kicking very difficult Ali Steele had a tough day on the tee but still managed to slot 3 of 6 kicks. This first one was however missed.

A tight game ensued Biggar backs looked very tidy and were increasing the pressure on Currie but the Malleny Park outfit were no mugs and tackled hard leading to a bit of a midfield slog. The next Biggar score was came from a good tight forward play and the backs letting loose and running hard. An initial break by Rowan saw the ball deep into the Currie 22. Great support and a quick ball out through the hands to Robbie who sped over for the score.

Half Time Biggar 12 – Currie 0

Into the second half and game management was going to be key. With the wind at their backs, exerting pressure on Currie would be key and Biggar did this well. First up with his second score of the game was Robbie Orr. A well worked Line out from the forwards got the ball going forwards. Out along the hands and the backs really taking the contact to Currie. Recycled ball back along the line to Robbie who saw a gap and went for it. He waltzed around 3 or 4 defenders to go over for the score out wide.

The next 2 tries were both down to excellent kicking from hand from Robbie. The first one was a long clearing kick when Currie left themselves with limited cover in behind. The ball landed inside the 22 and rolled tantalisingly into the in goal area. With Rowan sprinting to the line the Currie Full back got himself mixed up and missed the last bounce. As the ball went one way, he went another and Rowan pounced. Great score, great pressure and great determination.

The 5th Biggar try owed as much to great defence as to good kicking. A chip over the defensive line from the Currie 10 saw him running clear and looking as though he might go all the way. Superb back tracking from Jack Blaikhill and a really excellent cover tackle saw the Currie man caught. The ball was won by Biggar but under real pressure, Robbie sent another great kick into the Currie 22. This time saw Sam Wallis take off after it. Picked up by the Currie wing Sam made an excellent tackle and bounced straight back up to steal the ball. Great support from Finn Barr saw him get the try his overall play deserved as Sam popped the ball to him to allow the score.